💸 US planning new fees for H-1B, L-1 renewals

The US administration is planning to expand visa fees to cover H-1B and L-1 renewals instead of just new petitions. This change could drastically raise costs for companies retaining foreign staff, heavily impacting Indian professionals. The proposal, first published in June 2024, targets employers with 50+ staff where half hold H-1B or L-1 status. In FY2025, Indians made up 77.6% of the 291,542 continuing H-1B employment approvals. If finalized, the rule aims to generate an extra $157.3 million annually.

🦠 Ebola Outbreak Spikes in Eastern Congo

A massive Ebola outbreak has claimed 1,700 lives in Eastern Congo. This devastating surge is affecting regions within the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of recent reports, the outbreak has grown at an alarming rate across the area. Health officials are scrambling to contain the spread of the highly contagious virus. Further containment efforts and medical interventions are urgently being deployed. 🦠

🌡️ Global warming is speeding up, study warns

Scientists have found that the pace of global warming is significantly accelerating, as detailed in a study published in Geophysical Research Letters. This analysis was conducted by researchers using five major global temperature datasets from organizations like NASA and NOAA. The adjusted records show acceleration with over 98% statistical confidence, with the shift becoming apparent around 2015. This finding suggests the world could approach the 1.5°C Paris Agreement limit sooner than anticipated. Future greenhouse gas emissions will largely determine whether this warming trend can be stopped. 🌍

🕊️ Gazans demand ceasefire before trusting peace plan

Gazan residents are demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities before they can accept any ceasefire roadmap. This stance comes from various sources within Gaza, who are expressing deep skepticism about the current peace negotiations. The calls for a halt in fighting have been persistent across different segments of the population. This sentiment reflects a profound distrust stemming from the ongoing conflict and loss of life. They insist that the violence must stop first before any political agreement can be considered credible. 🕊️

🌍 Iran won't escalate but will defend itself, says Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran does not wish to escalate Middle East tensions but will use full capability to defend its interests. This came as US President Donald Trump warned Iran has a "last chance" to reach a deal. Trump claimed talks were ongoing at Iran's request, backed by Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, and mentioned a pause on military strikes. Iran's spokesperson rejected these claims, asserting only discussions with Oman were happening for safe shipping passage. Despite this, Iran's IRGC launched a drone attack on a US military base in Kuwait. 💣

🔬 Menin inhibitors for tough AML cases analyzed

Menin inhibitors are being studied as targeted therapies for adults facing relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This systematic review and meta-analysis looked at the efficacy and safety of these treatments. Fourteen studies, involving 784 treated patients, were found across six databases up to January 2026. The pooled overall response rate (ORR) among 579 response-evaluable patients was 54.6%. These findings point towards a promising direction for future AML treatment protocols.

🏏 LPL 2026: Qualifier & Eliminator match predictions

The Lanka Premier League 2026 features two crucial matches on August 2nd at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Jaffna Kings face Galle Gallants in Qualifier 1, while Colombo Kaps battle Kandy Royals in the Eliminator. Jaffna Kings topped the table, with Kamil Mishara being their top scorer with 262 runs. These high-stakes games determine progression in the tournament. The predictions suggest Jaffna Kings might edge out a victory in their respective fixture. 🏏

🏏 Ireland vs Afghanistan ODI: Match Predictions 🏏

The first ODI of the Afghanistan Tour of Ireland 2026 is scheduled for August 5th at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason. Afghanistan, currently ranked 8th, faces Ireland, ranked 12th, in this fixture. The ground average for the first innings is 255, while Afghanistan recently lost a 3-0 series against India. Key players to watch include Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan for Afghanistan. The predictions suggest Afghanistan will win the match.

🎬 Ramayana cast reveal: Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Ram 🎬

Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, with Sai Pallavi taking on the role of Sita. The production, helmed by Namit Malhotra, is budgeted at Rs 4,000 crore and set for a Diwali 2026 release. Supporting cast includes Arun Govil as King Dashrath and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. This massive ensemble combines TV veterans and South cinema stars for a huge project. 🌟

🏈 Infantino's Trump Plea for FIFA Job Ignored

Gianni Infantino reportedly reached out to Donald Trump in an effort to save his position at FIFA. This outreach was directed towards Donald Trump, who is a prominent political figure. The report details this interaction without providing specific dates or financial figures. The move suggests Infantino was facing potential career jeopardy within the organization. It remains to be seen how this attempt to secure his role will unfold going forward.

🔋 Oppo A7 Pro Max drops with massive 10,000mAh battery

Oppo has officially launched the A7 Pro Max 5G, featuring the world's first Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chipset and a huge 10,000mAh battery. This new device, part of Oppo's A-series, was unveiled in China on August 4, 2026. Pricing starts around $325 for the 8GB+128GB model, rising up to $445 for the 12GB+512GB variant. The phone boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display and supports 80W fast charging. Global availability for this battery powerhouse is still uncertain at this time. 🔋